Plate member shearing apparatus, method for shearing plate member, and sheared piece of plate member

ABSTRACT

A shearing apparatus ( 1 ) for shearing a plate member ( 2 ) is provided with a pair of shearing rollers ( 20, 20 ) opposed with each other. These shearing rollers ( 20, 20 ) are rotated in opposite directions in a state that the plate member ( 2 ) in pinched by and between peripheral surfaces of these shearing rollers ( 20,20 ). These shearing rollers ( 20, 20 ) are provided with at least one pair of shearing portions ( 21, 21 ) to be engaged with each other to shear the plate member ( 2 ). These shearing portions ( 21, 21 ) are formed on the peripheral surfaces and extend in an axial direction of the roller ( 20, 20 ).

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2001-95551 filed on Mar. 29, 2001 and U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/302,707 filed on Jul. 5, 2001, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is an application filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a)claiming the benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) of the filing dateof Provisional Application No. 60/302,707 filed on Jul. 5, 2001 pursuantto 35 U.S.C. §111(b).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a plate member shearingapparatus, a method for shearing a plate member and a sheared piece ofthe plate member. More particularly, the present invention relates to aplate member shearing apparatus suitably used for shearing a longbelt—shaped plate member into a predetermined length, a method forshearing the plate member and a sheared piece of the plate memberobtained by shearing the plate member by the shearing method.

BACKGROUND ART

[0004] As a plate member shearing apparatus for shearing a longbelt-shaped plate member into a predetermined length, the so-calledflying shear is widely used.

[0005] As a conventional flying shear, there are two types, a singleshearing type and a double shearing type. In a single shearing typeflying shear, a single shearing blade shears a long plate member into apredetermined length while moving the plate member in the longitudinaldirection thereof. On the other hand, in the double shearing type flyingshear, a pair of shearing blades disposed at a certain distance in thetraveling direction of a long plate member shear the plate member into apredetermined length while moving the plate member.

[0006] However, according to the single shearing type flying shear,since the traveling speed of the plate member fluctuates slightly, theshearing length of the plate member changes due to the fluctuations ofthe traveling speed. Therefore, it was difficult to shear the platemember into a predetermined length.

[0007] On the other hand, according to the double shearing type flyingshear, since the plate member is sheared in a state that the tip portionthereof remains, the remaining piece (the so-called scrap) is generatedat the tip portion of the plate member whenever the plate member issheared. Accordingly, the yielding efficiency of the sheared piece islow.

[0008] Furthermore, in such a flying shear, since a forwarding operationof the plate member is performed only by an electric controller, thereis a limitation in improving the shearing speed.

[0009] The present invention was made in view of the aforementionedtechnical background, and aims to provide a plate member shearingapparatus high in yielding efficiency of a sheared piece and capable ofshearing a plate member into a uniform length, a method for shearing aplate member and a sheared piece of a plate member.

[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following preferred embodiments.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, ashearing apparatus for shearing a plate member includes a pair ofshearing rollers for shearing a plate member into a predetermined lengthwhile passing the plate member between the pair of shearing rollers,wherein the pair of shearing rollers are rotated in opposite directionsin a state that the plate member is pinched by and between the pair ofshearing rollers, and wherein the pair of shearing rollers are providedwith at least one pair of shearing portions to be engaged with eachother to shear the plate member, the shearing portions being formed onperipheral surfaces of the pair of shearing rollers and extending in anaxial direction of each of the pair of shearing rollers.

[0012] According to this flying shear, the plate member is pinched byand between the pair of shearing rollers rotating in oppositedirections. Then, in this pinched state, the plate member is moved inaccordance with the rotation of both the shearing rollers and thensheared into a predetermined length by the pair of shearing portionsformed on the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers and engagedwith each other.

[0013] Since the plate member is moved and sheared in accordance withthe rotation of both the shearing rollers in the state that the platemember is pinched by and between both the shearing rollers, in caseswhere a pair of shearing portions are provided on the peripheralsurfaces of the shearing rollers, the plate member is sheared into alength corresponding to the circumferential length of the shearingroller. Accordingly, the plate member is sheared into a uniform length.On the other hand, in cases where plural pairs of shearing portions areprovided on the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers at certaincircumferential intervals, the plate member is sheared into a lengthcorresponding to the circumferential length between one of shearingportion on the peripheral surface of the shearing roller and a shearingportion adjacent to the aforementioned one of shearing portion andlocated in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of theshearing roller. As a result, the plate member is sheared into a uniformlength.

[0014] With this shearing apparatus, the plate member can be shearedwithout producing a remaining piece, and therefore it is possible toincrease the number of the sheared pieces to be obtained from the platemember. Furthermore, since the shearing speed of the plate member isdetermined by the rotation speed of the shearing rollers (namely, thecircumferential speed of the shearing rollers), the shearing speed canbe easily increased by increasing the rotation speed of the shearingrollers.

[0015] Furthermore, it becomes unnecessary to use a feeding apparatusfor feeding the plate member to the shearing rollers, or it becomespossible to feed the plate member by a feeding apparatus which is simplein structure. As a result, the structure of the shearing apparatus canbe simplified.

[0016] In cases where plural pairs of shearing portions are formed onthe peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers at certain intervalsalong the circumferential direction thereof, one rotation makes theplural sheared pieces. Accordingly, the plate member can be shearedefficiently, which in turn can further increase the shearing speed.

[0017] In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable thatthe plate member is provided with a groove or a ridge extending in atraveling direction of the plate member on at least one of surfaces ofthe plate member, wherein one of the pair of shearing rollers disposedat a side of the groove or the ridge of the plate member is providedwith a ridge or a groove on the peripheral surface thereof, and whereinthe ridge or the groove of the one of the pair of shearing rollersextends in a circumferential direction thereof so as to be engaged withthe groove or the ridge of the plate member.

[0018] In this case, the plate hember is pinched by and between both theshearing rollers in the state in which the ridge or the groove formed onone side or both sides of the plate member is engaged with the groove orthe ridge formed on the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers.Then, in this pinched state, the plate member is moved in accordancewith the rotation of the shearing rollers and sheared by the shearingportions. Accordingly, with this flying shear, even if a plate memberhas a groove or a ridge formed on one side or both sides thereof, theplate member can be pinched by and between the shearing rollers withoutcausing any deformation of the groove or the ridge. Accordingly, it ispossible to assuredly prevent the slippage of the plate member which maybe caused at the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers, andtherefore the plate member can be assuredly sheared into a uniformlength.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferable that the ridge or the groove of theone of the pair of shearing rollers extends to a shearing face of theshearing portion. In this case, deformation of the shearing portionswhich may be caused at the time of shearing a plate member can beprevented or suppressed. As a result, the plate member can be shearedwithout causing almost any deformation of the shearing portions.

[0020] According to the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it ispossible to assuredly shear a plate member having a thickness of 0.15 mmor less.

[0021] In the shearing apparatus, it is preferable that at least one ofthe pair of shearing rollers is provided with a stepped portionextending in the axial direction on the peripheral surface, and whereina rising face and a protruded edge of the stepped portion constitute ashearing face and a shearing edge, respectively. In this case, itbecomes unnecessary to attach a cutter as the shearing portion on theperipheral surfaces of the shearing rollers, and therefore the structureof the shearing rollers can be simplified. Accordingly, it becomespossible to easily manufacture the shearing rollers at low cost.

[0022] In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable thatat least one of the pair of shearing rollers is constituted by aplurality of divided members assembled with each other, each of theplurality of divided members having a dividing face in alignment with ashearing face of the shearing portion. In this case, the structure ofthe shearing rollers can be further simplified, and it becomes possibleto manufacture the shearing rollers more easily and cheaply. Althoughmeans for fixing the divided members is not limited to specific means,it is preferable to use fastening members such as a screw or a bolt.

[0023] In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable thatat least a portion of a shearing face near a shearing edge of theshearing portion of at least one of the pair of shearing rollers iscurved toward the shearing edge. In this case, the clearance betweenboth shearing portions can be decreased at the time of the engagement ofthe shearing portions. Accordingly, burrs of the sheared portion whichmay be generated at the time of shearing the plate member can beprevented or suppressed, which enables to obtain a sheared piece withalmost no burr at the sheared portion. It is especially preferable thatthe aforementioned portion of the shearing face is formed roundly alongan involute curve or a parainvolute curve.

[0024] In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that afeeding apparatus for feeding the plate member to the shearing rollersis disposed at an inlet side of the pair of shearing rollers. In thiscase, it becomes possible to automatically feed the plate member betweenthe shearing rollers, resulting in improved shearing operationefficiency of the plate member.

[0025] In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that aforwarding apparatus for forwarding a sheared piece obtained by shearingthe plate member is disposed at an outlet side of the pair of shearingrollers. In this case, it becomes possible to automatically dischargethe sheared piece sheared by the shearing rollers. As a result, theshearing operation efficiency of the plate member can be improved.

[0026] In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that atransferring apparatus for transferring a sheared piece obtained byshearing the plate member to a stacker is disposed at an outlet side ofthe pair of shearing rollers. In this case, the sheared piece sheared bythe shearing rollers can be sent to the stacker efficiently.

[0027] The second aspect of the present invention is directed to asheared plate member sheared by the shearing apparatus according to thefirst aspect of the present invention. According to the second aspect ofthe present invention, it becomes possible to assuredly obtain a shearedpiece having a predetermined length.

[0028] According to the third aspect of the present invention, a methodof shearing a plate member includes the steps of preparing a shearingapparatus equipped with a pair of shearing rollers, the pair of shearingrollers having at least one pair of shearing portions to be engaged witheach other, the shearing portions being formed on peripheral surfaces ofthe shearing rollers and extending in an axial direction of the shearingrollers, and shearing the plate member by engaging the pair of shearingportions in a state that the plate member is pinched by and between theshearing rollers rotating in opposite directions.

[0029] According to this method of shearing a plate member, the platemember can be sheared into a uniform length. Furthermore, the shearingspeed can be increased easily by increasing the rotation speed of theshearing rollers, and the yielding efficiency of the sheared piece canbe also increased since the plate member is sheared without causing anyremaining piece. Furthermore, in cases where the shearing apparatus isprovided with plural pairs of shearing portions at certain intervals inthe circumferential direction, the plate member can be shearedefficiently, which enables to further increase the shearing speed.

[0030] In the aforementioned method of shearing a plate member, it ispreferable that the plate member is provided with a groove or a ridgeextending in a traveling direction of the plate member on at least oneof surfaces of the plate member, wherein one of the pair of shearingrollers disposed at a side of the groove or the ridge of the platemember is provided with a ridge or a groove on the peripheral surface,and wherein the ridge or the groove of the one of the pair of shearingrollers extends in a circumferential direction thereof so as to beengaged with the groove or the ridge of the plate, member.

[0031] In this case, even if a plate member has a groove or a ridge onone side or both sides thereof, the plate member can be pinched by andbetween both the shearing rollers without causing any deformation of thegroove or the ridge. Accordingly, it is possible to assuredly preventthe slippage of the plate member which may be caused at the peripheralsurfaces of the shearing rollers, and therefore the plate member can beassuredly sheared into a uniform length.

[0032] In the aforementioned method of shearing a plate member, it ispreferable that the ridge or the groove of the one of the pair ofshearing rollers extends to a shearing face of the shearing portion. Inthis case, it becomes possible to shear the plate member without causingany deformation of the shearing portion.

[0033] According to the aforementioned shearing method, even if theplate member has a thickness of 0.15 mm or less, it is possible to shearthe plate member assuredly.

[0034] In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that atleast one of the pair of shearing rollers is provided with a steppedportion extending in an axial direction thereof on the peripheralsurface, and wherein a rising face and a protruded edge of the steppedportion constitute a shearing face and a shearing edge, respectively. Inthis case, the structure of the shearing rollers can be simplified, andtherefore it becomes possible to manufacture the shearing rollers easilyand economically.

[0035] In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that atleast one of the pair of shearing rollers is constituted by a pluralityof divided members assembled with each other, each of the plurality ofdivided members having a dividing face in alignment with a shearing faceof the shearing portion. In this case, the structure of the shearingrollers can be further simplified, and therefore it becomes possible tomanufacture the shearing rollers more easily and economically.

[0036] In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that atleast a portion of a shearing face near a shearing edge of the shearingportion of at least one of the pair of shearing rollers is curved towardthe shearing edge. In this case, it becomes possible to prevent orsuppress the generation of burrs which may be generated at the time ofshearing a plate member.

[0037] In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that theplate member is fed to the shearing rollers by a feeding apparatusdisposed at an inlet side of the pair of shearing rollers. In this case,it becomes possible to automatically feed the plate member to theshearing rollers, and therefore the shearing operation efficiency of theplate member can be improved.

[0038] In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that asheared piece is forwarded by a forwarding apparatus disposed at anoutlet side of the pair of shearing rollers. In this case, it becomespossible to automatically discharge the sheared piece sheared by theshearing rollers. As a result, the shearing operation efficiency of theplate member can be improved.

[0039] In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that asheared piece is transferred to a stacker by a transferring apparatusdisposed at an outlet side of the pair of shearing rollers. In thiscase, it becomes possible to forward the sheared piece sheared by theshearing rollers to the stacker efficiently.

[0040] The fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to asheared piece obtained by shearing a plate member according to the thirdaspect of the present invention. According to the fourth aspect of thepresent invention, a sheared piece having a predetermined length can beobtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041]FIG. 1 is a side view showing a shearing apparatus according toone embodiment of the present invention in a state that a plate memberis pinched by and between a pair of shearing rollers;

[0042]FIG. 2 is a plane view showing the shearing apparatus in the stateshown in FIG. 1;

[0043]FIG. 3 is a side view showing the shearing apparatus which isshearing a plate member;

[0044]FIG. 4 is a plane view showing the shearing apparatus in the stateshown in FIG. 3;

[0045]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plate member;

[0046]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line6-6 in FIG. 1;

[0047]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the pair of shearing rollersin a detached state;

[0048]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the portion A shown in FIG. 7;

[0049]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the portion B shown in FIG. 8;

[0050]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the pair of shearingrollers in a detached state; and

[0051]FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the shearing portions in astate that the pair of shearing rollers are engaged with each other.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0052] The present invention will be detailed with reference to theattached drawings.

[0053] In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus forshearing a plate member according to an embodiment, 2 denotes a platemember and 50 denotes a stacker. The plate member 2 is a metal member,i.e., an aluminum or its alloy member. The sheared piece 2 a obtained byshearing the plate member 2 with the shearing apparatus 1 will be usedas an inner fin. This innerfin is disposed in a heat exchanging tube ofa heat exchanger such as an evaporator for use in car air-conditioners.This plate member 2 is a long belt-shaped member having a constantwidth. The width is, for example, 20 to 70 mm. Furthermore, thethickness of this plate member 2 is 0.15 mm or less. Accordingly, thisplate member 2 is an extremely thin member.

[0054] This plate member 2 is moved in the longitudinal directionthereof to the shearing apparatus 1 with nearly horizontal position.This plate member 2 has a wavy cross-section as shown in FIG. 5. On theupper surface of this plate member 2, a plurality of triangularcross-sectional ridges 3 each extending in the traveling direction(namely, in the longitudinal direction of the plate member) are formedin parallel with each other. On the lower surface of this plate member2, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional grooves 4 each extending inthe traveling direction (namely, in the longitudinal direction of theplate member) are formed in parallel with each other. This plate member2 is formed to have the aforementioned cross-sectional shape by theforming apparatus (not shown) disposed at the inlet side of the shearingapparatus 1.

[0055] The shearing apparatus 1 is a flying shear for shearing theaforementioned plate member 2 into a predetermined length whileforwarding the plate member 2 in the longitudinal direction thereof, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0056] This shearing apparatus 1 is equipped with a pair of upper andlower opposed shearing rollers 20 and 20 each having a nearly circularcross-section and opposed with each other. These shearing rollers 20 and20, i.e., the upper shearing roller 20 and the lower shearing roller 20have the same diameter.

[0057] Furthermore, in this shearing apparatus 1, at the inlet side ofboth the shearing rollers 20 and 20, a pair of upper and lower feedingrollers 10 and 10 opposed each other as a feeding apparatus for feedinga plate member 2 to the shearing rollers 20 and 20 are disposed apartfrom the shearing rollers 20 and 20 by a predetermined distance L1. Inboth the feeding rollers 10 and 10, the upper feeding roller 10 and thelower feeding roller 10 have the same diameter which is the same as thediameter of the shearing roller 20 and 20.

[0058] Furthermore, at the outlet side of both the shearing rollers 20and 20, a pair of upper and lower forwarding rollers 30 and 30 opposedeach other as a forwarding apparatus for forwarding a sheared piece 2 aare disposed apart from the shearing rollers 20 and 20 by apredetermined distance L2. In both the forwarding rollers 30 and 30, theupper forwarding roller 30 and the lower forwarding roller 30 have thesame diameter which is the same as the diameter of the shearing roller20 and 20.

[0059] Furthermore, at the outlet side of both the forwarding rollers 30and 30, a pair of upper and lower transferring rollers 40 and 40 opposedeach other as a transferring apparatus for transferring a sheared piece2 a to a stacker 50 are disposed apart from the forwarding rollers 30and 30 by a predetermined distance L3. In both the transferring rollers40 and 40, the upper transferring roller 40 and the lower transferringroller 40 have the same diameter.

[0060] The stacker 50 is provided with a platform 51 on which shearedpieces 2 a are stacked and a columnar stopper 52 which stops atransferring movement of the sheared piece 2 a. The platform 51 isarranged approximately horizontally and moves downward in accordancewith the number of piled sheared pieces 2 a. The stopper 52 is disposedapproximately vertically at the front side of the platform 51 relativeto the transferring direction of the sheared piece 2 a.

[0061] In this shearing apparatus 1, both the shearing rollers 20 and 20are connected to a driving apparatus (not shown), and are rotated in theopposite directions by the driving apparatus. The feeding rollers 10 and10 are also connected to the aforementioned driving apparatus, and arerotated in the opposite directions at the same circumferential speed asthe circumferential speed of the shearing rollers 20 and 20.Furthermore, the forwarding rollers 30 and 30 are also connected to theaforementioned driving apparatus, and are rotated in the oppositedirections at the same circumferential speed as the circumferentialspeed of the shearing rollers 20 and 20. On the other hand, both thetransferring rollers 40 and 40 are connected to the aforementioneddriving apparatus, and are rotated in the opposite directions by thedriving apparatus. The transferring rollers 40 and 40 may be connectedto a driving apparatus other than the aforementioned driving apparatus.The transferring roller 40 and 40 are rotated at the samecircumferential speed as the circumferential speed of the shearingrollers 20 and 20. The transferring rollers 40 and 40 may be rotated ata circumferential speed higher than the circumferential speed of theshearing rollers 20 and 20 by 50%. By setting the circumferential speedas mentioned above, the sheared pieces 2 a can be stacked neatly in thestacker 50.

[0062] Next, the structure of the shearing rollers 20 and 20 will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

[0063] On the peripheral surfaces of the pair of the shearing rollers 20and 20, plural pairs of upper and lower shearing portions 21 and 21 eachextending in the axial direction are provided so as to be engaged witheach other at certain circumferential intervals. In this embodiment, twopairs of the shearing portions 21 and 21 are provided. The pair ofshearing portions 21 and 21 are engaged with each other for shearing theplate member 2.

[0064] In each shearing roller 20, provided that one of two shearingportions 21 and 21 is referred to as a first shearing portion 21 and theother a second shearing portion 21, the circumferential length from thefirst shearing portion 21 to the second shearing portion 21 in therotational direction and the circumferential length from the secondshearing portion 21 to the first shearing portion 21 in the rotationaldirection are the same. The circumferential length is represented by L0(see FIG. 1).

[0065] The reference numerals 21 a and 21 b denote a shearing face and ashearing edge of the shearing portion 21, respectively.

[0066] Each shearing rollers 20 and 20 are assembled as follows.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 10, each shearing roller 20 is formed by equallydividing a columnar member having a true round cross-section along aplane parallel to the axis into plural pieces, and then integrallyassembled and fixed by fastening members 27 in a state in which theplural pieces are shifted in the radial direction thereof. In thisembodiment, the columnar member is divided into two pieces. Thestructure of each shearing roller 20 will be explained concretely. Eachshearing roller 20 is divided into two pieces along a plane whichcoincides with the shearing face 21 a of the first shearing portion 21and the shearing face 21 a of the second shearing portion 21 and isparallel to the axial direction. These two divided pieces 26 and 26 areassembled and fixed with each other by the tightening members 27 in astate in which two divided pieces 26 and 26 are shifted each other inthe radial direction thereof. In this embodiment, a screw is used as thetightening member 27. In FIG. 10, the reference numeral 28 denotes ascrew insertion hole formed in the periphery of the divided piece 26 atthe longitudinal end portion thereof. In the state that the two dividedpieces 26 and 26 are assembled as mentioned above, two stepped portions22 and 22 protruded radially outwardly from the peripheral surface ofthe shearing roller 20 are formed at certain intervals in thecircumferential direction. The rising face 22 a and the protruded edge22 b of each stepped portion 22 constitute the shearing face 21 a andthe shearing edge 21 b of the shearing portion 21, respectively.

[0068] It is preferable that the level difference S (see FIG. 11) ofeach stepped portion 22 falls within the range of from 0.3 to 1.0 mmbecause of the following reasons. If the level difference S is less than0.3 mm, it becomes difficult to shear the plate member 2. On the otherhand, if the level difference S exceeds 1.0 mm, it becomes difficult topinch the plate member 2 by and between the peripheral surfaces of theshearing rollers 20 and 20.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the portion of the shearingface 21 a of the shearing portion 21 of each shearing roller 20 near theshearing edge 21 b is rounded toward the shearing edge 21 b along aninvolute curve or a parainvolute curve. Thereby, the clearance C betweenthe shearing portions 21 and 21 can become nearly zero at the time ofthe engagement of the shearing portions 21 and 21. In this embodiment,the pair of shearing portions 21 and 21 are engaged in a contacted state(namely, in a zero clearance C). In FIG. 11, for the explanationpurposes, the pair of shearing portions 21 and 21 are shown in adetached state. It is preferable that the inclination angle 0 of theshearing face 21 a relative to the normal line of the peripheral surfaceof the shearing roller 20 is set so as to fall within the range of from3° to 8°.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, on the peripheralsurfaces of the longitudinal middle portion of the upper shearing roller20 between two shearing portions 21 and 21, a plurality of grooves 23which extend in the circumferential direction and are to be engaged withthe plurality of ridges 3 formed on the upper surface of the platemember 2 are formed along the entire area in the circumferentialdirection of the periphery. Accordingly, these grooves 23 extend to theshearing face 21 a of the shearing portion 21. Similarly, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, on the peripheral surfaces of the longitudinal middleportion of the lower shearing roller 20 between two shearing portions 21and 21, a plurality of ridges 24 which extend in the circumferentialdirection and are to be engaged with the plurality of grooves 4 formedon the lower surface of the plate member 2 are formed along the entirearea in the circumferential direction of the periphery. Accordingly,these ridges 24 extend to the shearing face 21 a of the shearing portion21.

[0071] Furthermore, in the feeding rollers 10 and 10, and the forwardingrollers 30 and 30 and the transferring rollers 40 and 40, on theperipheral surface of each upper roller 10, 30 and 40, as shown in FIG.2, a plurality of grooves 23 extending in the circumferential directionto be engaged with the plurality of ridges 3 formed on the upper surfaceof the plate member 2 are formed along the entire periphery. Similarly,on the peripheral surface of each lower roller 10, 30 and 40, aplurality of ridges 24 extending in the circumferential direction to beengaged with the plurality of grooves 4 formed on the lower surface ofthe plate member 2 are formed along the entire periphery.

[0072] In this shearing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 1, it ispreferable that the distance L1 between the rotation center of theshearing roller 20 and that of the feeding roller 10 along the travelingdirection of the plate member 2 falls within the range of from L0 to(L0-15) mm, more preferably from L0 to (L0-10) mm. Similarly, it ispreferable that the distance L2 between the rotation center of theshearing roller 20 and that of the forwarding roller 30 along thetraveling direction of the plate member 2 falls within the range of fromL0 to (L0-15) mm, more preferably from L0 to (L0-10) mm. Similarly, itis preferable that the distance L3 between the rotation center of theforwarding roller 30 and that of the transferring roller 40 along thetraveling direction of the plate member 2 falls within the range of fromL0 to (L0-15) mm, more preferably from L0 to (L0-5) mm.

[0073] Next, the operation and the handling method of the shearingapparatus 1 will be explained.

[0074] First, the driving apparatus is activated, so that both thefeeding rollers 10 and 10, both the shearing rollers 20 and 20, both theforwarding rollers 30 and 30 and both the transferring rollers 40 and 40are rotated in the opposite directions, respectively.

[0075] Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the longitudinal end portion ofthe horizontally disposed plate member 2 is introduced between thefeeding rollers 10 and 10 in a state in which the ridges 3 formed on theupper surface of the plate member 2 are engaged with the grooves of theperipheral surface of the upper feeding roller 10 and the grooves 4formed on the lower surface of the plate member 2 are engaged with theridges of the peripheral surface of the lower feeding roller 10. As aresult, the plate member 2 is pinched by and between the peripheralsurfaces of the feeding rollers 10 and 10, and therefore the platemember 2 is fed to the shearing rollers 20 and 20.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, the plate member 2 fed in this way isintroduced between the shearing rollers 20 and 20 in a state in whichthe ridges 3 formed on the upper surface of the plate member 2 areengaged with the grooves 23 of the peripheral surface of the uppershearing roller 20 and the grooves 4 formed on the lower surface of theplate member 2 are engaged with the ridges 24 of the peripheral surfaceof the lower shearing roller 20. As a result, the plate member 2 ispinched by and between the peripheral surfaces of the feeding rollers 10and 10 and moved by the rotation driving force of the shearing rollers20 and 20, and therefore the longitudinal end of the plate member 2 isfed to the forwarding rollers 30 and 30. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and4, the plate member 2 is sheared into a predetermined length by engagingthe pair of shearing portions 21 and 21. The obtained sheared piece 2 ahas a length of L0. Thus, the plate member 2 is continuously shearedinto sheared pieces 2 a each having a length of L0 in accordance withthe rotation of the shearing rollers 20 and 20. In this embodiment,since the shearing rollers 20 and 20 are provided with two pairs ofshearing portions 21 and 21 at the peripheries, two shearing pieces 2 aeach having the same length L0 can be obtained every one rotation.

[0077] Then, the sheared piece 2 a is introduced between the forwardingrollers 30 and 30 in a state in which the ridges 3 formed on the uppersurface of the sheared piece 2 a are engaged with the grooves of theperipheral surface of the upper forwarding roller 30 and the grooves 4formed on the lower surface of the sheared piece 2 a are engaged withthe ridges of the peripheral surface of the lower forwarding roller 30.As a result, the sheared piece 2 a is pinched by and between theperipheral surfaces of the forwarding rollers 30 and 30 and transferredby the rotation driving force of the forwarding rollers 30 and 30.

[0078] Then, the sheared piece 2 a is introduced between thetransferring rollers 40 and 40 in a state in which the ridges 3 formedon the upper surface of the sheared piece 2 a are engaged with thegrooves of the peripheral surface of the upper transferring roller 40and the grooves 4 formed on the lower surface of the sheared piece 2 aare engaged with the ridges of the peripheral surface of the lowertransferring roller 40. As a result, the sheared piece 2 a is pinched byand between the peripheral surfaces of the transferring rollers 40 and40 and transferred to the stacker 50 by the rotation driving force ofthe transferring rollers 40 and 40. Then, the sheared piece 2 a is piledup on the platform 51 by the stacker 50.

[0079] In this embodiment, the distance L2 (see FIG. 1) between therotational center of the shearing roller 20 and that of the forwardingroller 30 along the plate member traveling direction is set so as tofall within the range of from L0 to (L0-15) mm. Accordingly, when thesheared piece 2 a is moved from the shearing rollers 20 to theforwarding rollers 30, the sheared piece 2 a is laid on both theshearing roller 20 and the forwarding roller 30. Furthermore, thedistance L3 (see FIG. 1) between the rotational center of the forwardingroller 30 and that of the transferring roller 40 along the plate membertraveling direction is set so as to fall within the range of from L0 to(L0-15) mm. Accordingly, when the sheared piece 2 a is moved from theforwarding rollers 30 to the transferring rollers 40, the sheared piece2 a is laid on both the forwarding roller 30 and the transferring roller40. Accordingly, the sheared piece 2 a is smoothly transferred to thestacker 50 without falling down from the shearing apparatus 1.

[0080] As a result, with this shearing apparatus 1 having theaforementioned structure, since the plate member 2 is always shearedinto the length L0 to thereby obtain a sheared piece 2 a with a uniformlength. Furthermore, since this shearing apparatus 1 can shear the platemember 2 without causing a remaining piece, there is an advantage thatthe yielding efficiency of sheared piece 2 a is high.

[0081] Furthermore, since the shearing speed of the plate member 2 isdetermined by the rotation speed of the shearing rollers 20, theshearing speed can be increased by increasing the rotating speed of theshearing rollers 20. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as mentionedabove, since the shearing rollers 20 and 20 are provided with a pair ofshearing portions 21 and 21 on the peripheries thereof at intervals inthe circumferential direction, two sheared pieces 2 a and 2 a can beobtained every one rotation of the shearing roller 20. Accordingly, withthis shearing apparatus 1, the plate member 2 can be sheared atextremely high shearing speed.

[0082] Furthermore, in this shearing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 6,the plate member 2 is pinched by and between the shearing rollers 20 and20 and moved in a state in which the ridges 3 formed on the uppersurface of the plate member 2 is engaged with the grooves 23 formed onthe peripheral surface of the upper shearing roller 20 and the grooves 4formed on the lower surface of the plate member 2 is engaged with theridges 24 formed on the peripheral surface of the lower shearing roller20. Accordingly, with this shearing apparatus 1, even if the platemember 2 has grooves 3 and ridges 4 on both sides, the plate member 2can be firmly pinched by the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers20 and 20 without causing deformation of the grooves and ridges. As aresult, slippage of the plate member 2 which may be generated on theperipheral surface of the shearing rollers 20 can be preventedassuredly, and therefore it becomes possible to shear the plate member 2more assuredly into a uniform length.

[0083] Furthermore, in each shearing roller 20, since the grooves 23 andthe ridges 24 extend to the shearing face 21 a of the shearing portion21, even if the plate member 2 is a thin member, the plate member 2 canbe sheared without causing any deformation of the shearing portion.Furthermore, as mentioned above, since it is constituted that theclearance C between the shearing portions 21 and 21 can be nearly zeroat the time of engagement of the shearing portions 21 and 21, generationof burrs which may be generated at the shearing portion can be preventedor suppressed, and therefore the sheared piece 2 a with an extremelybeautiful sheared portion can be obtained.

[0084] Furthermore, in this shearing rollers 20, since the rising face22 a and the protruded edge 22 b at the stepped portion 22 formed on theperipheral surface of the shearing roller constitute the shearing face21 a and the shearing edge 21 b of the shearing portion 21,respectively, it is not necessary to provide cutters as shearingportions to the peripheral surface of the shearing rollers 20 and 20.Accordingly, the structure of the shearing rollers 20 and 20 can besimplified, and the shearing rollers 20 and 20 can be manufacturedeasily and cheaply. Moreover, since the shearing roller 20 is comprisedof two divided members 26 and 26 equally divided at the dividing face 25which coincides with the shearing face 21 a of the shearing portion 21and fixed with each other, the structure of the shearing rollers 20 canbe further simplified, and the shearing roller 20 can be manufacturedmore easily and cheaply.

[0085] Furthermore, since this shearing apparatus 1 is equipped with thefeeding rollers 10 and the forwarding rollers 30, the plate member 2 canbe fed automatically and the sheared piece 2 a can be forwardedautomatically. In addition, since the transferring rollers 40 and 40 areprovided at the outlet side of the forwarding rollers 30 and 30 forforwarding the sheared piece 2 a to the stacker 50, the sheared piece 2a can be transferred to the stacker 50 efficiently.

[0086] Although the above explanation is directed to one embodiment ofthe present invention, the present invention is not limited to theaforementioned embodiment and may be changed variously.

[0087] For example, in the aforementioned embodiment, although two pairsof shearing portions 21 and 21 are provided at a certain distance on theperipheral surfaces of the pair of shearing rollers 20 and 20, in thispresent invention, only one pair of shearing portion 21 and 21 may beprovided. Alternatively, three or four pairs of shearing portion 21 and21 may be provided.

[0088] The followings are a brief summary of the present invention.

[0089] With the shearing apparatus of the plate member according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the plate member can be shearedinto a uniform length. Furthermore, the plate member can be shearedwithout causing any remaining piece. Furthermore, according to thisshearing apparatus, since the shearing speed of the plate member can bedetermined by the rotation speed of the shearing rollers, by increasingthe rotation speed of the shearing rollers, the shearing speed can beincreased. Furthermore, since it is not always necessary to provide afeeding apparatus for feeding a plate member to the shearing rollers, orit is possible to feed the plate member with a simple feeding apparatus,the structure of the shearing apparatus can be simplified. Furthermore,in cases where plural pairs of shearing portions are provided atcircumferential intervals on the peripheral surfaces of the shearingrollers, the plural sheared pieces can be obtained by one rotation ofthe shearing roller. Accordingly, the plate member can be shearedefficiently, and the shearing speed can be further increased.

[0090] According to the second aspect of the present invention, itbecomes possible to assuredly obtain a sheared piece having a desiredlength.

[0091] With the shearing method of the plate member according to thethird aspect of the present invention, the plate member can be shearedinto a uniform length, and the plate member can be sheared withoutcausing any remaining piece. Furthermore, by increasing the rotationspeed of the shearing rollers, the shearing speed can be easilyincreased. Furthermore, in cases where plural pairs of shearing portionsare provided at circumferential intervals on the peripheral surfaces ofthe shearing rollers, the shearing member can be sheared efficiently,and therefore the shearing speed can be further increased.

[0092] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, asheared piece having a desired length can be obtained assuredly.

[0093] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein areused as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is nointent, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any ofthe equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof,but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within thescope of the invention claimed

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0094] The shearing apparatus of a plate member according to the firstaspect of the present invention is useful as a shearing apparatus formanufacturing an inner fin to be inserted in a heat exchanging tube of aheat exchanger, or useful as a shearing apparatus for shearing a thinplate member.

[0095] The sheared piece of the plate member according to the secondaspect of the present invention is useful as an inner fin to be insertedin a heat exchanging tube of a heat exchanger.

[0096] The method of shearing a plate member according to the thirdaspect of the present invention is useful as a shearing method which isused when manufacturing an inner fin to be inserted in a heat exchangingtube of a heat exchanger, or useful as a method for shearing a thinplate member.

[0097] The sheared piece of the plate member according to the fourthaspect of the present invention is useful as an inner fin to be insertedin a heat exchanging tube of a heat exchanger.

1. A shearing apparatus for shearing a plate member, comprising: a pairof shearing rollers (20, 20) for shearing a plate member (2) into apredetermined length while passing the plate member (2) between saidpair of shearing rollers (20, 20), wherein said pair of shearing rollers(20, 20) are rotated in opposite directions in a state that the platemember (2) is pinched by and between said pair of shearing rollers (20,20), and wherein said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20) are providedwith at least one pair of shearing portions (21, 21) to be engaged witheach other to shear the plate member (2), said shearing portions (21,21) being formed on peripheral surfaces of said pair of shearing rollers(20, 20) and extending in an axial direction of each of said pair ofshearing rollers (20, 20).
 2. The shearing apparatus for shearing aplate member as recited in claim 1, wherein the plate member (2) isprovided with a groove (4) or a ridge (3) extending in a movingdirection of the plate member (2) on at least one of surfaces of theplate member (2), wherein one of said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20)disposed at a side of the groove (4) or the ridge (3) of the platemember (2) is provided with a ridge (24) or a groove (23) on saidperipheral surface, and wherein said ridge (24) or said groove (23) ofsaid one of said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20) extends in acircumferential direction thereof so as to be engaged with the groove(4) or the ridge (3) of the plate member (2).
 3. The shearing apparatusfor shearing a plate member as recited in claim 2, wherein said ridge(24) or said groove (23) of said one of said pair of shearing rollers(20, 20) extends to a shearing face (21 a) of said shearing portion(21).
 4. The shearing apparatus for shearing a plate member as recitedin claim 1, wherein a thickness of the plate member (2) is 0.15 mm orless.
 5. The shearing apparatus for shearing a plate member as recitedin claim 1, wherein at least one of said pair of shearing rollers (20,20) is provided with a stepped portion (22) extending in said axialdirection on said peripheral surface, and wherein a rising face (22 a)and a protruded edge (22 b) of said stepped portion (22) constitute ashearing face (21 a) and a shearing edge (21 b), respectively.
 6. Theshearing apparatus for shearing a plate member as recited in claim 1,wherein at least one of said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20) isconstituted by a plurality of divided members (26, 26) assembled witheach other, each of said plurality of divided members (26, 26) having adividing face (25) in alignment with a shearing face (21 a) of saidshearing portion (21).
 7. The shearing apparatus for shearing a platemember as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a shearingface (21 a) near a shearing edge (21 b) of said shearing portion (21) ofat least one of said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20) is curved towardsaid shearing edge (21 b).
 8. The shearing apparatus for shearing aplate member as recited in claim 1, further comprising a feedingapparatus (10, 10) for feeding the plate member (2) to said shearingrollers (20, 20), said feeding apparatus (10, 10) being disposed at aninlet side of said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20).
 9. The shearingapparatus for shearing a plate member as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a forwarding apparatus (30, 30) for forwarding a shearedmember (2 a) obtained by shearing the plate member (2), said forwardingapparatus (30, 30) being disposed at an outlet side of said pair ofshearing rollers (20, 20).
 10. The shearing apparatus for shearing aplate member as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transferringapparatus (40, 40) for transferring a sheared member (2 a) obtained byshearing the plate member (2) to a stacker (50), said transferringapparatus (40, 40) being disposed at an outlet side of said pair ofshearing rollers (20, 20).
 11. A sheared plate member sheared by theshearing apparatus as recited in any one of claims 1 to
 10. 12. A methodof shearing a plate member, the method includes the steps of: preparinga shearing apparatus (1) equipped with a pair of shearing rollers (20,20), said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20) having at least one pair ofshearing portions (21, 21) to be engaged with each other, said shearingportions (21, 21) being formed on peripheral surfaces of said shearingrollers (20, 20) and extending in an axial direction of said shearingrollers (20, 20); and shearing the plate member (2) by engaging saidpair of shearing portions (21, 21) in a state that the plate member (2)is pinched by and between said shearing rollers (20, 20) rotating inopposite directions.
 13. The method of shearing a plate member asrecited in claim 12, wherein the plate member (2) is provided with agroove (4) or a ridge (3) extending in a moving direction of the platemember (2) on at least one of surfaces of the plate member (2), whereinone of said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20) disposed at a side of thegroove (4) or the ridge (3) of the plate member (2) is provided with aridge (24) or a groove (23) on said peripheral surface, and wherein saidridge (24) or said groove (23) of said one of said pair of shearingrollers (20, 20) extends in a circumferential direction thereof so as tobe engaged with the groove (4) or the ridge (3) of the plate member (2).14. The method of shearing a plate member as recited in claim 13,wherein said ridge (24) or said groove (23) of said one of said pair ofshearing rollers (20, 20) extends to a shearing face (21 a) of saidshearing portion (21).
 15. The method of shearing a plate member asrecited in claim 12, wherein a thickness of the plate member (2) is 0.15mm or less.
 16. The method of shearing a plate member as recited inclaim 12, wherein at least one of said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20)is provided with a stepped portion (22) extending in an axial directionthereof on said peripheral surface, and wherein a rising face (22 a) anda protruded edge (22 b) of said stepped portion (22) constitute ashearing face (21 a) and a shearing edge (21 b), respectively.
 17. Themethod of shearing a plate member as recited in claim 12, wherein atleast one of said pair of sharing rollers (20, 20) is constituted by aplurality of divided members (26, 26) assembled with each other, each ofsaid plurality of divided members (26, 26) having a dividing face (25)in alignment with a shearing face (21 a) of said shearing portion (21).18. The method of shearing a plate member as recited in claim 12,wherein at least a portion of a shearing face (21 a) near a shearingedge (21 b) of said shearing portion (21) of at least one of said pairof shearing rollers (20, 20) is curved toward said shearing edge (21 b).19. The method of shearing a plate member as recited in claim 12,wherein the plate member (2) is fed to said shearing rollers (20, 20) bya feeding apparatus (10, 10) disposed at an inlet side of said pair ofshearing rollers (20, 20).
 20. The method of shearing a plate member asrecited in claim 12, wherein a sheared plate member (2 a) is forwardedby a forwarding apparatus (30, 30) disposed at an outlet side of saidpair of shearing rollers (20, 20).
 21. The method of shearing a platemember as recited in claim 12, a sheared plate member (2 a) istransferred to a stacker (50) by a transferring apparatus (40, 40)disposed at an outlet side of said pair of shearing rollers (20, 20).22. A sheared plate member obtained by shearing a plate member by amethod as recited in any one of claims 2 to 21.